REGION: AI expert named UC Riverside vice chancellor

An expert in the field of artificial intelligence, who has headed Rutgers University's economic development initiatives for the last seven years, will be serving in the same capacity at UC Riverside.

Effective July 1, Michael J. Pazzani will be UCR's vice chancellor of research and economic development. The computer science professor, author and entrepreneur will be focused on driving innovation and drawing attention to UCR's research apparatus, said Chancellor Timothy White.

"UC Riverside has a world-class research faculty, great facilities and a strong desire to secure a larger footprint with various national foundations and institutes,'' White said. "Moreover, we have myriad emerging opportunities for translational research, patent creation and start-up ventures. Michael Pazzani will be a key leader in these areas.''

Pazzani, who has worked as vice president of research and economic development in the New Jersey state university system since 2005, is the founder of AdaptiveInfo, which developed a mobile content delivery application used by the Los Angeles Times and The San Diego Union-Tribune, according to UCR.

Between 1987 and 2005, Pazzani was on the faculty of UC Irvine, teaching computer science. He is a fellow with the American Association of Artificial Intelligence and the author of "Creating a Memory of Casual Relationships,'' which analyzes machine learning.

The Rutgers University professor said he looked forward to blazing ahead with UCR's 2020 strategic plan by "enhancing the research at UCR in all disciplines, attracting more federal funding to the university, forming partnerships with corporations, and providing research opportunities for students.''

Pazzani succeeds Charles Louis, who has served as the university's vice chancellor of research since 2004 and is retiring this year.

Pazzani's annual salary will be $289,000, in addition to a $72,250 relocation allowance, campus officials said.